"The Barbican"

No. 14 - January 1940

Loaned by Joe Warr - Edited by Maurice Hobden

HIS is
the first issue of the Barbican to appear
during the war and was written in the first few weeks after the
declaration of war on September 3rd. 1939. At this time little
has happened in Western Europe and the British Expeditionary
Force is being sent to France. Hitler is busy conquering Poland
and attacking our shipping in a small war at sea.

The school, like the population generally, has been expecting
war and preparations are being made with air-raid shelters and
other problems like the black-out. Meanwhile the Old Boys are
flooding into the Services and other war-time roles.

Although 1939 ends with much apprehension the preceding months
had been idyllic - a fine summer, good cricket and a school camp.
It was the lull before the storm.

EDITORIAL

DUE perhaps to lurid propaganda posters which appeared
recently on the School notice-board, the response to our
bi-annual plea for contributions has been very encouraging. The
task of selecting contributions for this issue of THE
BARBICAN has been more than usually difficult, and the
resulting magazine has benefited thereby, as you will shortly
discover.

The Magazine reflects, as it should do, the life of the School
; you will find in this issue a particularly enlightening
commentary on the past year, from articles on travel to war
poems. We go to press at a time of world crisis, with the hope
that this magazine will do something toward lightening your
black-out hours.

We have lived through yet another year of uncertainty and
uneasiness in international affairs, while the gathering storm
clouds have slowly overshadowed the more centralised little world
of our School life.

But if the atmosphere has been charged with portent it has
until now made little difference to our own work and play, the
departure of familiar and popular masters, and the unobtrusive
arrival of unfamiliar but by now no less popular new ones. In
this connection let us extend a warm welcome to Mr. Pratt, Mr.
Silk and Mr. Warman, all of whom arrived after the summer
vacation.

The School Cricket XI enjoyed fair success, but with a
restricted fixture list had little opportunity fully to reveal
its potential strength.

The sporting thunder during the Summer Term was stolen by a
comparatively new sport -- athletics. The School running team has
convincingly staked its claim to be considered as one of the
strongest in the county. It is significant to note that the
running team has always competed against old-established and
adult clubs, which indicates that, in its own class, it would
have achieved even greater things. The times and distances
recorded on Sports Day compare flatteringly with those of any
neighbouring schools -- a fact which augurs well for the future
of the sport at Lewes.

We enter this Term upon a new School Year, and with it upon a
new epoch in the School's, as in the world's, history. In bidding
farewell to a typical year of strifes and relaxations, failures
and achievements -- in short, everything which constitutes the
School and all it stands for -- we bid farewell (let us pray it
may only be au revoir) to comforts and privileges, ambitions and
peace of mind. Nevertheless, we face the future with no heaviness
of heart, but rather with a resolved determination to endure the
darkness ahead with the cheerfulness and optimism of youth, that
we, too, can do our share towards the defence of tranquility and
tradition, and the ultimate re-establishment of sanity and
peace.
D. J. T.

THE SCHOOL AND THE WAR

THINKING people know that the war which has been forced upon
us, may prove to be the greatest crisis our country has ever had
to face. No one can foresee the end and a long struggle is
inevitable. Eighty million people, organised for war, are not
defeated in a few months.

Parents will undoubtedly be faced with the anxious problem of
what to do with their sons The careers work which we had
gradually built up over a period of nine years has collapsed. The
Headmasters' Association Employment Committee in London, to which
our boys in growing numbers had begun to look for help in finding
employment, has almost ceased to function, owing to the
evacuation of business houses from London. Civil Service
Examinations have been temporarily suspended, although
Headmasters are pressing for their revival, and this may come
about.

Whatever help can still be given at School will always be at
the disposal of parents. This advice is offered now. Do not
accept blind alley jobs which are likely to cease at the end of
the war. Peace, when it comes, will find a large number of young
men without any professional or technical qualifications fighting
for jobs. Vacancies will go to the men who got their
qualifications before joining the forces.

War has a tendency to make young people restless. With the
future so uncertain, " the daily round, the common task " does
not seem worth while. It would be a grave mistake to act on this
assumption. Peace will come again at last. To act now as though
nothing mattered would be to add to the number of those on whom
the verdict may have to be passed, " Career ruined by the
War."

Patriotism can be shown at present by the collaboration of
parents, boys and school in mitigating as far as possible the
unavoidable difficulties that war brings.

The School is a great family. Some members are now with us.
Others, our Old Boys, are still one with us, but have passed
outside our narrow confines into the wider sphere of national
life. These we "shaped, made aware," to borrow Rupert Brooke's
words.

The war has torn many of them from their homes to serve their
country and humanity. Over 120 had undertaken voluntary national
service before war commenced. In a school so young, we are proud
of this striking example of public spirit. God grant a safe
return to all of them.
N. R. B.

SCHOOL NOTES

THE war has driven London schools from their homes, and we are
glad to welcome the Bec School as our war-time guests. We
sympathise with them in the difficulties they have been called
upon to face and hope that we can make their lot as light as
possible.

The presence of two schools in one building has led to a
revolution and a certain restriction in the time-table. By
opening six full days and curtailing certain valuable but
inessential elements in the curriculum, we are satisfied that no
boy need suffer any educational hindrance.

During the week-end of the great evacuation the School was
used as a dispersal centre and over 1700 evacuees passed through.
This may be of interest to those who read these lines fifty years
hence. [Seventy!]

Mr. S. R. N. Smith, our Mathematics Master, was called up to
join his Battery and is now in France. We wish him a safe
return.

Our air-raid shelters are almost complete. We cannot decide
whether they more nearly resemble the London tubes or submarines.
[These were made from long lines of 5' diameter concrete sewer
pipes in a shallow pit covered with soil with a door at one end
and an escape hatch at the other. They were situated between the
old library and Ham Lane. They were fitted with tiny wooden seats
along each side. They were very claustrophobic. The more
conventional brick and concrete shelters were arranged along the
south wall of the school.]

To turn to matters more domestic, we congratulate Dowden on
being a member of this year's Public School Expedition to
Newfoundland. Couldn't we send a boy every year?

A word, too, about athletics. The enthusiasm for running last
summer was comparable to that for Rugger in the winter. In
becoming Sussex Quarter Mile Junior Champion at the age of 16, D.
Thomas put up a remarkable achievement.

Our greatest scholastic success was Ridley's State
Scholarship. Several Old Boys, who had recently left also won
valuable awards in various spheres.

We congratulate A. G. Evans on passing the Civil Service
Executive Examination.

J. A. Holton was awarded one of the ten Ministry of
Agriculture Senior Scholarships and was about to proceed to the
Royal Veterinary College when he was mobilised as a member of the
Territorials.

F. W. Cosstick had gained a scholarship to the British
Institute, Paris, but was unable to proceed there owing to the
war.

We admire the initiative of R. W. Barnes and Cosstick. The
former, whose cycling trip through Central Europe in 1938 may be
remembered, hitch-hiked this summer to Moscow, while Cosstick set
out by the same method for Southern Italy. He had reached
Juan-les-Pins when the European situation compelled him to hurry
back -- in a borrowed pair of trousers. [Are we to understand
that the change in the European situation caused the need for
fresh trousers?]

All those who have listened to R. B. Smith's pianoforte
performances at School functions for the past six years will be
delighted at his success in winning a scholarship to the Royal
Academy of Music.

Our last thoughts are for our Old Boys. May " good luck " go
with them through all the dangers which they may be called upon
to face.

HOUSE NOTES

THE fortunes of Lewes House during the school year fluctuated
considerably. Although our Rugger teams crushed all opposition in
a most
convincing manner and the Swimming Sports were monopolised by us
in usual fashion, the junior football team failed to register a
victory and we were too easily satisfied with inferior positions
in the Work Shield, Cross-country Championship, and Athletic
Sports ; while, in cricket, where our eleven best players were
demanded for School matches, although the 1st XI did not lose a
game, the 2nd and 3rd XIs could only win one between them. We can
congratulate ourselves on winning the Games Shield for the first
time and on retaining the Swimming Cup, but there is a grave and
urgent need for improvement in athletics and work to which the
House is, on the whole, horribly indifferent.

As for the future, our prospects are bright. We are powerful
in Seniors, and if only the Juniors can hold their own there is
no reason why Lewes House should not have an exceptionally good
year ; but to achieve success each member of the House must work
and play hard.
R. C. B.

The School year of 1938-39 has been, perhaps, the most
successful Martlets have ever enjoyed. Briefiy, we finished the
year equal top with Lewes in the Games Shield Competition, won
both the Cross-country and Athletic Cups by unprecedented margins
and for the first time gave Lewes a run for their money in the
Sinfield Swimming Cup Competition.

After our sweeping success in the cross-country races,
reported in last term's BARBICAN (dare I remind
our rivals that we won the Cup by 396 points ?) we set out with
justifiable optimism to carry off the Athletics Cup in similar
fashion. We were not disappointed, since we succeeded not only in
winning the Cup but also in scoring nearly twice as many points
as our nearest rivals. The fact that the School relay team is
entirely composed of Martlet seniors undoubtedly contributed
largely toward this victory, but the House was well ahead on
Standard points even before Sports Day itself -- which emphasises
that this was a united and well-deserved triumph. The Colts and
Juniors of the House showed by their excellent form and
remarkable keenness that we can safely leave the athletic future
of the House in their hands.

Our performance in the Swimming Competition is most
encouraging, and particular credit must go to Marigold -- now,
alas, departed -- for this showing.

There is every prospect that this year we will repeat our
recent triumphs, since the sporting fame of the House is
dependent not on a handful of Seniors, but on the House as a
whole.

To turn from the sublime to the not-so-glamorous (though this
sphere of School activity serves perhaps an equally useful
purpose as the aforementioned) we are, for once, in the running
for the Work Shield, though final positions are not yet
available. Thus we have helped to prove the verity of that
well-worn maxim : " mens sana in corpore sano."
D. J. T.

In the past School year, Seahaven have shared an equal amount
of good and bad fortune. Our hopes for a successful Rugby season
were not fully realised. Although we were capable of fielding a
very strong 1st XV which won two of its three matches, the Junior
XV lacked the energy and experience necessary to beat their
opponents, and the team did not win a single match. Hopes turned
to Junior Soccer, but again we were disappointed with only a
single victory. When at the end of the season it was decided to
play seven-a-side Rugby matches, we welcomed the chance to regain
our lost prestige, and were successful in winning all three
games.

To end a strenuous term, we found ourselves floundering in
ditches and leaping fences in the annual cross-country races, and
we emerged from the contest covered with an appreciable amount of
glory, as well as mud. Our congratulations are due to Barfoot,
who won the Senior race for the House.

The Summer Term found us prepared for Cricket, and all three
House teams put up a really good show. School Sports and Swimming
arrived simultaneously, but due mainly to a lack of material we
were not in a very prominent position at the end of term. Our
position in the Althletic Sports was, however, redeemed by the
number of points scored by the House in the qualifying events
before Sports Day itself. On the whole, therefore, our year's
record seems mediocre : neither poor nor brilliant.

From Sport we turn to Work, and here Seahaven have done very
well. The standard has been high, and there is every chance of
our gaining the Work Shield again this year. We will hope for a
better sporting record this year, but meanwhile -- keep up the
work, Seahaven !
A. T. S.

We were unlucky enough to lose the Cross-country Cup last
season, an event due not to inferior running, but to overwhelming
numbers. There were four Uckfield boys in the first six home in
the Seniors' race.

We were unable to retain the Athletics Cup against the greatly
superior Martlets team. Holton ran a fine race in the Open Mile,
in which he gained first place.

Cricket was again an uneventful sport for the House. Only
three games were won out of the nine played by the three House
teams. Uckfield was represented only by Seniors' and Colts'
events in the Swimming Sports. Needless to say, we lost as
usual.
R. D. P.

THE SIXTH FORM SOCIETY

DESPITE the evil desire of our revered Adolf to put an end to
the Sixth Form Society, black-out arrangements were made in the
library and a very successful term was enjoyed. In addition to
ordinary features, such as literary and " coger " evenings, there
was a debate on the franchise question, a talk by D. Thomas on "
Some Tendencies in Modern Poetry," a musical evening, and an
anthology on humour. An enlightening and entertaining talK on "
Modern Journalism " was also given by Mr. L. D. Essex,
substantiated by personal reminiscences.

But the attendances might have been improved upon if certain
superior (?) members of the Sixth Form, especially the Science
Section, had deigned to grace the meetings with their
presence.
R. C. BLYTHE.

CRICKET - 1939

THE past season proved to be an abnormally short one. We had
difficulty in arranging some of our regular fixtures, owing to
the clashing of dates, and several games were cancelled owing to
bad weather.

The prospective cricket captain, Henderson, was able to play
in only one match before leaving to take up an appointment in
London. Thomas proved a worthy successor and led the team
confidently.

Our record of three wins placed us on the credit side against
two losses and one drawn game. Two of the victories gained were
notable as being rather unexpected. The opening match against
Lewes Priory second eleven was one of these and the away match
with Shoreham was the other.

A pleasing feature of the individual successes was that of
Woods. He became a regular member of the first eleven this season
and hit up several good scores. We hope for still better
performances next year.

Blythe, not quite as distinguished as formerly with the bat,
bowled consistently well.

The team as a whole were better in the field than the average
of recent years, but the batting was sometimes woefully weak, as
can be seen from the small scores registered. Our bowling was
very good but was not always able to make up for the batting
weakness.

BARBICAN ATHLETIC CLUB

IN the first full year of its activities, the Athletic Club
has met with conspicuous success. During the season the School
relay team beat eight different teams, including Brighton and
County Harriers, Worthing, and West Sussex Police.

The Club commenced the season by audaciously challenging the
redoubtable Varndean School to an athletic contest. Although it
was so early in the season the School did extremely well, winning
nine out of the fifteen events, and were narrowly defeated by 42
points to 36. D. Thomas took maximum points in his three races,
winning the 100 yards, 220 yards and the 440 yards. A feature of
the meeting was the performance of Coles, who, in the Colts' high
jump, cleared 4 ft. 11 ins., one inch higher than Kirk cleared in
the Senior event. The climax of the meeting was the Senior relay,
which was keenly contested. In a thrilling finish, B. Thomas
managed to breast the tape inches ahead of his Varndean
opponent.

For the first time in the School's history three boys were
entered in the County Junior Championships at Preston Park.
Although Braidwood in the half mile and Schmid in the javelin
failed to gain a place, D. Thomas met with great success.
Reaching the final of the 220 yards he gained third place. Having
thus warmed up, he ran a brilliant heat in the 440 yards in the
remarkable time of 53.4 secs. In the final, saving his effort
till the end, he ran out a comfortable winner, but his final time
was actually slower than that of his heat.

Encouraged by last year's showing in the East Sussex Police
sports, the Club again entered a team in the open relay.
Competing against six crack teams, including a strong naval team
from Portsmouth, who won the event, the " C " Division
Metropolitan Police team and the famous Chichester Athletic Club,
we surprised our opponents and ourselves by finishing a close
fourth -- the first Sussex team home.

Emboldened by this performance (and perhaps a little piqued at
having so narrowly missed a pewter mug each !) we ambitiously
entered for the biggest county meeting of the season -- the
Inter-County Meeting at Worthing on July 25th. As an indication
of the contrast our team made with its more brilliant rivals, it
must be placed on record that Mr. Page, on inquiring of a steward
the colour of the Lewes County School team's baton was
condescendingly told that " the boys' events " came later in the
programme.

From the start the pace was terrific, but Mr. Page ran a
courageous " half," handing over the baton to B. Thomas in fourth
position. Both he and Braidwood tenaciously held on to their
position and then D. Thomas took over from Braidwood. Then came
the " high-spot " of the race. To the roar of lusty vocal
encouragement from the School supporters clustered on the bend,
Thomas surpassed himself. He shot past his first bewildered rival
and gradually shortened the distance between himself and the
Chichester " star." Along the back straight he moved up into
second place and strained after the leader, but a hundred yards
from home it became apparent that he had made his effort, and his
recently vanquished rivals slowly moved up on him.

Excitement was intense as the four leaders strained for the
tape. The race was undecided up to the last few yards when, with
split seconds between the first four places, Thomas was passed.
The team had finished fourth, beaten only by superior stamina.
The unofficial time of the School team was 3 mins. 49.4 secs.,
the most spectacular achievement in a season of outstanding
accomplishments.
"SPIKES."

THE SCHOOL FETE

A LEWES PARENT'S REFLECTIONS.

"THOUGH I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and
have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling
cymbal."

Being, as I am, on the wrong side of 50, I have formed a
resolution, amounting almost to a new religion, passionately to
resist all entreaty, bribe, threat or other design to entice me
to any fete, whist drive or dance, or any other artful or artless
dodge for transferring the money from the bottom of my trouser's
pocket to some nebulous fund for the conversion of Hottentots or
Socialists (who don't want to be converted), or for the renewing
of bellropes of bells, which I much prefer silent.

The one exception to this iron rule is the summer fete at the
Lewes County School for Boys. And my reasons are these : Firstly,
my own boy is at school there ; secondly, it is largely an annual
gathering of democratic parents ; and thirdly, I approve of its
purpose, which is to raise money to help boys whose parents are
hard up to start in jobs and careers most suited to their
temperament and ability, thus affording them a chance of living a
life of national usefulness and personal happiness. The whole
idea appeals to my sense of social justice and equity.

And so it happened, one Saturday afternoon, that I found
myself, adorned in my panama hat and distinctive tie, strolling
with my wife in the pleasant sunlit playing fields of the County
School. In the ordinary way it is a lovely place in which to
stroll. Spacious, one would say, and peaceful. But on this
occasion there was no peace. We were pursued, as one is pursued
by gnats, by a horde of youthful salesmen in chrysalis, all
vociferously intent on selling us, at twopence a time, the
forlorn hope of winning a ham, a cartload of coal, or a currant
cake.

St. Paul says, "Charity is not puffed up." Let me state at
once that, whenever I eat currant cake, whether in folly or in
charity, I am always puffed up. In a foolish attempt to win some
vague reward I lit many candles (though not enough) with a single
match, and burned my fingers because I could not see the flame in
the brilliant sunlight ; and I bowled long and earnestly for a
pig which I couldn't have treasured even if I had miraculously
won it. My neighbours have already put their foot (or feet) down
in respect of chicken. What they would say about a pig beggars
the imagination.

At five o'clock we went in to tea, and here I desire to draw
the Headmaster's attention to an interesting matter. I paid a
shilling, and received, in return, a cup of tea, a cucumber
sandwich, and a charming smile from the lady waitress. Now, if we
agree that the bewitching smile was without price, I estimate
that the net profit on my tea was tenpence halfpenny. Yes, but
sitting opposite me was a young unknown gentleman who had got in
for sixpence. He, without seeming to waste time in mastication,
or even respiration, consumed about two shillings' worth of
various buns. True, he received no devastating smile and, for all
I know, he may have been violently sick when he got outside. But
these considerations do not affect the mournful truth that, here
beneath my very eyes, the Cause sustained a major loss.

Next, the progressive whist drive. Now, I am not averse to a
quiet game of bridge, in which I have leisure to estimate the
subtle possibilities of the cards I hold. But there is no quiet
and no leisure in a whist drive. I was hustled and bustled and
jostled, and periodically whistled at by a young man who in other
surroundings may have been a very pleasant young ,man. In my
confusion of mind I frequently moved to the wrong table, or sat
in the wrong chair at the right table, nor had I a moment in
which to light my pipe. At half-time there was a slight lull and
just as I had found my tobacco a fellow came and sold me a ticket
for a bottle of port. Then the breath-taking business began all
over again, and I floundered on my way, dropping my cards, losing
my pencil, signing in the wrong places, and generally earning the
contempt of that entire grim and purposeful company. "Charity,"
says St. Paul, "suffereth long." But never again will I suffer a
progressive whist drive. There is too much of this progress.

Finally we looked in at the dance. Here there was much noise
and much happiness. But here I was permitted to sit in a corner
and smoke my pipe, while an incredible number of young and pretty
girls and nice young men cut all sorts of queer antics to the
beat of barbaric music. I remember one dance in particular,
wherein these joyous and harmless young things (mostly
teetotallers, I imagine) locked arms and staggered up and down
the floor, in long rows, after the manner of midnight revellers
going home drunk. Extraordinary ! And while I sat and watched and
smoked, I thought of the dances of my youth ; of dances with
resounding titles -- the Lancers, Valeta, Military Twostep ; and
suddenly, as though in answer to my thoughts, the M.C. mounted a
chair. " Next," he yelled, " we will have some old-fashioned
dances." I rose, and taking my wife's hand, I led her on to the
floor. " Now," I said, " we'll show 'em something." And as we
trod the stately measures down the room, all the youth and beauty
there whirled and capered about us, refusing to be old-fashioned,
refusing to grow old. And who shall blame them ?

A Sabbath dawn was greying the northern sky as I sank upon my
pillows and stretched my aching joints and thought of to-morrow's
stiffness. " But Charity," I said to myself, " endureth all
things."(With acknowledgments.)

THE SCHOOL CAMP, 1939

MANY boys were disappointed that, owing to the international
situation this year's camp could not be held abroad. Instead, we
were fortunate in securing a very delightful site on tlhe
outskirts of Stratford-on-Avon for one week. A camp had
previously been held there in 1936.

On Thursday, July 27th, fifty-four boys, accompanied by three
masters and an old boy (Wynter) left Lewes at 10 a.m., prepared
for a five-hour journey in the train. At Leamirigton we were
allowed to explore the town and taste the famous Spa waters,
which, I think, most boys agreed as being very nasty. We arrived
at Stratford about 4 p.m., in the pouring rain. A true friend in
need, with a car and trailer, generously carried our kit bags to
the camp, about two miles from the station. On arriving there,
everyone set about pitching tents, and we were all under canvas
by supper-time, but by no means ready for sleep.

The Head and Mr. Jarvis had arrived by car in the afternoon.

Next day was spent in getting the camp in working order. We
went to the town and viewed the Memorial Theatre, Shakespeare's
birthplace, or else went boating on the river. Everyone enjoyed
the roast joints and tarts, supplied for dinner that day by the
baker. The evening was occupied by games.

On Saturday, two coaches took the camp through Chipping
Campden, Broadway and Tewkesbury, where we visited the Abbey, to
Malvern. On arriving there we climbed to the top of the Worcester
Beacon, one of the high points in the Malverns. But,
unfortunately, it was very misty and we could not fully
appreciate the remarkable view to be seen from there. (However,
the chalet [no longer there - burned to the ground and never
replaced] there did a roaring trade in drinks and sweets.) We
returned through Evesham after a very good trip.

Sunday was a quiet day, with no special trips.

Camp life, by now, was in full swing with its customary rags
and fatigue duties. Organised bathing parades were made down to
the river, where the proprietor of a camping site allowed us to
use his rafts. The weather had not improved, but by now everyone
had found and avoided leaks in the tents. On Monday a visit was
paid to Warwick Castle in the afternoon and to the Theatre in the
evening to see a first-rate rendering of Shakespeare's " Twelfth
Night." Another visit to the Theatre was arranged next evening,
when we saw " Othello", but this proved rather too deep for the
younger members of the camp. A camp fire was built, under the
direction of Mr. Page, on Wednesday night, but though it rained,
it did not damp the singing or put the fire out. Mr. Courtney
gave us some impersonations, Mr. Gillam a song, and an original
song was written and rendered by the senior tent.

No one looked forward to next day when we struck camp (also in
the rain) and arrived back at Lewes about 4 p.m. In spite of the
weather everyone agreed that it was a very good camp and that it
ended all too soon.
D. G.

THE LIBRARY

DURING the year there has been a gratifying increase in the
variety of new books for the Library, largely owing to a renewed
interest in the Suggestions Book.

Foremost among new books is Aldous Huxley's Ends and
Means, which has become the Bible of the younger intellectual
school. In this, probably Huxley's best, and certainly his most
influential book, are to be found penetrating and enlightening
chapters on such subjects as Social Reform, War and Education,
and one gains from a reading of this book (which certainly cannot
be achieved in a weekend) the impressions of a man who possesses
great intellectual powers, unlimited background and exceptional
vigour of expression.

Another valuable addition has been John Gunther's Inside
Europe, perhaps the most widely-approved of all recent
political books. It is easy to enjoy, being written in very
readable English by an American journalist. It is biassed -- this
accusation the author himself would surely not deny -- in favour
of Socialism as opposed to the Right, but this makes little
difference to its wholly satisfying and stimulating effect upon
the reader.

Soon after Christmas there appeared on the Library shelves two
volumes of that remarkable work by an even more remarkable man --
Mein Kampf. Both volumes have been in circulation
continuously ever since, though the complete and unexpurgated
edition did not appear on the market until the early summer. It
may be that Mein Kampf will in fifty years be rated
alongside Machiavelli's The Prince and Rousseau's
Social Contract. Meantime the reader can only gasp at the
astounding creed revealed by the book, and the still more
astounding mentality of its demented author.

Perhaps the cooler judgment of posterity will find for him a
place in the annals of great men and perhaps not.

An enthusiastic Sixth Form last year took up the sword on
behalf of modern poetry, with the result that three small volumes
were soon added to the Library : Selected Poems by W. H.
Auden and Ezra Pound respectively and Poems by Louis
MacNeice. In case some difficulty might be experienced by the
eager but uninitiated, Martin Gilkes's A Key to Modern
Poetry was also included. These three poets admirably
represent the tendency of modern poetry at its best, and enough
variation is shown in their work to make the conscientious reader
realise that poetry in England did not die with Alfred, Lord
Tennyson, or even with Rudyard Kipling, but that modern verse is
quite as vital as that of last century. And remember, all ye
earnest seekers after truth, that Beauty is a purely relative
term.
"P. S."

A.R.P.

'Arry, Reg. and Percy
Joined the A.R.P. ;
So dark the night and murky,
Their way they couldn't see.

'Arry lived in Lambeth
He did the famous " Walk " ;
His missus' name was 'Lisbeth,
And man ! How she could talk !

Reg was a taxi-driver,
Who lived in old St. Paul's ;
His fares were ne'er a fiver,
Though he answered urgent calls.

The moral of this poem,
As you can clearly tell,
Is : no matter what your station,You can help as well.

A. H. ROGERS (Form 2A).

TRAVELS IN THE NORTH

(Readers of THE BARBICAN will remember that in
August, 1938, R. W. Barnes travelled over most of Czechoslovakia
and Hungary by bicycle. This year he has penetrated as far north
as the Arctic and as far east as Moscow, mainly by hitch-hiking.
As last year he left international turmoil in his wake...
Gestapo, please note !-ED.)

EUROPE was troubled this summer. Looking for a quiet spot, we
espied the north and set out at once on a hot July day. With us
we carried visas and rucksacks. Quickly we reached Harwich, and
by packet-boat crossed to the moat streets of Esbjing. The Danish
scenery slipped by all too quickly -- the bleakness of our first
morning's lifts, the bridge to Fi Yn, the night in an Odense
gardener's shack, the crowded Kosor ferry, the young farmer who
first showed us Koben-havn. So we went out along the sunny Sound
to Elsinore and memories of Hamlet, crossing to Halsingborg in a
rocking tub and a storm.

In Sweden we remember our German Telefunken boy and his
bubbling fiancee, the long roadside waits for a car lift, and my
friend, forgetting his raincoat in the joy of a catch, arrayed in
a green cellophane cape-hood at the next town. We had a wonderful
evening ride up the Laberg hill, with its view of Lake Vattern,
supper in a Fascist's house near Linkoping, a lunch and afternoon
tea thrown in on the way to Stockholm. This is a superb capital,
a wonderful contrast of old and new, glorious in its island
setting.

Finland was our next stop, and introduced by Helsinki a coming
city, graceful but homely, chic but cheap. We tried to hitch-hike
out into the country, but only covered forty kilometers and then
stopped. But Finland (Suomi) is cheap. By bus and train we
travelled to Tampere and Rovanieni.

We visited Finland's arctic coast, grey and hard-etched, with
its midnight sun, Lapps, mosquitoes and peat huts. We made a
short sea voyage to Norway, and inspected an iron-ore
concentrating plant. Then we turned south, again crossed the
Lapland fells, and again bussed along the " Great Arctic
Highway," through the interminable bog and forest lands to Kuopid
and Lake Paijanne.

In Helsinki we found Soviet visas ready and departed for
Leningrad and Moscow and an eight-days' visit. We lived as kings
in a classless land. We visited the inevitable factory, creche,
museum and palace. With an American friend we examined shop
goods. In Moscow we saw an agricultural exhibition and the
Central Asiatic peoples. We saw the ill-omened Kremlin and the
Moscow-Volga Canal. Then, flashed back by night sleeper to
Leningrad, we again saw the Winter Palace and bridges crossing
the lovely Neva. We saw, too, the Russian proletariat.

My friend, summoning all his resources, flew back unwell to
London, while I continued by rail and boat to Helsinki, Turku
(Abo) and Stockholm again. With the help of magnificent
hospitality and kindness I hitched to Oslo, in two days, only to
find the English boat full up. But, for a mere half-crown extra,
I was sailed to Bergen over the treeless, frosted, and ice-capped
region near Fiume. Bergen itself proved a most glorious spot,
sunny and restful, with colossal views from the heights behind.
The Newcastle journey was luxurious, and contrasted with the
subsequent hitch home via Edinburgh, Inverness, Glencoe and
Glasgow, Preston and London -- where I arrived a week before war
broke out. This journey is now as a myriad patterns, infinite and
nice, clear and slim, lovely and sterile, a woof woven into the
warp of one's imaginings, and streaked with a small "high-pitched" thread, rumours and undertones of a coming war --
this war.
R. W. BARNES. (LCS 1932-36)

[Note: Bob Barnes, one of the Barnes brothers, would have been about
twenty years old at the time of this adventure. He died
tragically by accidental drowning during war service in
Iraq.]

EXPLORING IN NEWFOUNDLAND
WITH THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS EXPLORING SOCIETY

THE Expedition, consisting of forty-six boys, three leaders,
three doctors and a wireless operator, arrived at St. Johns on
August 8th, after an uneventful crossing from Liverpool. We went
straight to the railway station and boarded our special train. We
were on the train for twenty hours before we arrived at Howley,
which is a little village at the head of Grand Lake ; this formed
the jumping off place for the expedition. A little tug-boat was
waiting to take us down Grand Lake to our base camp, which was
situated at the junction between Grand Lake and Little Grand
Lake. Our tents, survey instruments, wireless, and food for one
month had already been transported to the Base Camp.

On arriving at Base Camp, after the nine-hour journey down the
lake, we had our first experience of camp rations ; at this time
they did not seem to be very appetising, but as time wore on hard
work produced large appetites, and the food was appreciated to a
much greater extent. Any dreams which you had invariably figured
food of some description, and I know several people who had vivid
dreams of entering the Grill Room of Simpson's in the Strand, but
they always woke up before they got their meal. Perhaps it would
be appropriate here to mention a day's ration : 1 pint of
porridge, 2 ozs. of margarine, 2 ozs. of cheese, 6 ship's
biscuits, 2 ozs. of chocolate, 1 oz. of raisins, 14 lumps of
sugar, 1 pint of pemican hooshe, and tea (without milk)
practically unlimited. Needless to say I have no complaints to
make against the Government's rationing schemes for this
country.

After we had been at the Base Camp for three days the place
presented a very different appearance : many trees had been cut
down to let more sunlight into the camp, and also to get rid of
some of the mosquitoes which had been making themselves felt.
When we had got settled in at camp, and the routine was running
smoothly, our leader asked for volunteers for the Long March ;
nearly everyone in the camp volunteered, and later in the day the
names of those selected were announced. I was one of the lucky
thirteen boys who were selected with one leader and a doctor to
start on the twelve-day march on August 19th.

We duly started in fine weather on the morning of the 19th,
and climbed all day through thick forest to try and get on to the
barrens which run along the top of the hills. We found no good
barrens that day or at any time during the Long March ; for when
we got out of the forest we came across tuckamore. Tuckamore is a
growth rather similar to heather only much stronger, also it
grows to a much greater height. At some times it came over our
heads and it was trying work marching through it. In thick
tuckamore, as in dense forest, it was essential to have your
compass in your hand all the time to prevent yourself getting
lost.

Everything went well until the fifth day. We had made good
progress and secured some useful compass traversings, which had
been augmented by a photographic survey taken from the high
points. But on the morning of the fifth day a member of the party
complained of a painful foot. It was caused by a mosquito bite
which had turned septic, and the foot had swollen to such a size
that the boy was unable to get his boot on. He had to hobble
along as well as he could with two others helping him. It was
essential to get him back to the Base Camp as soon as possible,
as poisoning was setting in. Our intention was to get down to a
lakeside, build a raft; pitch a tent on it and attempt to get
back to Base Camp that way. This project would have been helped
by the fact that most of the lakes were interconnected. After a
scramble down a very steep cliff-face we arrived to our very
great surprise and joy at the southern end of Little Grand Lake,
and, better still, four other members of the Expedition were also
at this point with a canoe. The next day the boy was successfully
ferried down to the Base Camp, where he got proper medical
treatment. The remaining members of the party then split up to
explore the tributaries at the head of the lake. We returned to
the Base Camp on August 30th, after a forced march which lasted
from 8.30 a.m. to 7 p.m., during which time it rained
continuously.

At 2.30 a.m. on September 4th we heard that England was at
war. It had been most refreshing to get away from crisis news for
a month and the declaration of war came as an unpleasant shock.
We left Base Camp on September 6th and arrived in St. Johns on
September 8th. We then went down to Halifax and spent a pleasant
week there. The return journey to England was exciting but
uneventful. We eventually arrived back at Liverpool on October
3rd, exactly three weeks late.
D. J. DOWDEN (Form VI).

[Note: Donald Dowden had
seen active service in the RAF but was accidently killed in
Ceylon while landing an aircraft in 1944.]

THE CAREERS FUND

THE amount invested now exceeds £500. Unless some
unexpected source of income develops we fear that the steady
growth of the Fund which has followed its inception four years
ago, will inevitably be checked by the war. Yet the post-war
period may reveal a greater need for a fund of this nature than
ever before. We therefore acknowledge with gratitude gifts since
our last issue from the following : J. C. Holmes, M. Berry, P. W.
Ridley P. Bridgman, R. B. Smith, and B. Hunnisett. We also thank
those Old Boys who have received loans and are steadily
discharging their obligations.

OLD BOYS' NOTESPro patria, pro humanitate.

WE record with grateful pride the names of the following Old
Lewesians who are serving their country; over 120 had volunteered
when war broke out.

In addition to the above, a number of Old Boys are doing work
of national importance or are in reserved occupations, such as
the Merchant Navy, Police and some branches of the Civil
Service.

We should be glad to hear from any Old Boy whose name has been
omitted. The Censor has requested Headmasters not to reveal the
ships or units in which Old Boys are serving.

We have had a number of pleasant visits from Old Boys in the
forces. To chronicle their activities would take too long and
might get us into trouble with the Censor. We include a few notes
of interest and apologise to any O1d Boy who has written or
visited us and is not mentioned in despatches.

KELLEY, on a destroyer, writes that if Hitler only knew the
trouble this war was causing him he would stop it at once. He has
returned the compliment by helping to send a German submarine to
the bottom.

COOK (Senior) feared that his naval duties would be performed
with a bucket tied round his neck. Having seen him crossing the
Channel when going to camp at Les Andelys, we agree.

POLLARD, on convoy duty, is a Petty Officer ; a misnomer if
stature is considered in Pollard's case.

RAINBIRD has returned from Egypt to instruct recruits.

DICK CAMPLIN was one of our first Old Boys to go to France --
a few days after war broke out. We know that CORNFORD, HILTON,
TONKINSON, KEITH LUSTED and F. B. EDWARDS are also out there, and
probably some others.

FATTY PELHAM has helped to sink a submarine.

BOB FAULKNER, by naming the coin correctly, missed being on a
boat which was afterwards torpedoed.

CHANT, in the R.A.M.C., sent to nurse the sick, caught the
measles and seven days' leave.

PETTIT's overcoat is the smartest in the forces. We mistook
him for an officer.

The 210th and 264th Companies, R.E., are branches of the Old
Boys' Association.

COLLINS ran third in a cross-country race and scored a goal at
soccer. He has been sent to an Officers Training Unit.

MOORE and KILLICK are as proper a pair of pilots as one could
wish to see. They have been interviewed for commissions and we
hope they get them.

A number of Old Boys in the ranks are awaiting the result of
recommendations for commissions. We hope to be able to chronicle
their promotion in our next issue.

HOPE, who was a Sergeant when the war commenced, has nearly
completed his training in an Officer Cadet Unit.

LOWLES, Royal Sussex Regiment, was asked to play for
Southampton Football Club, but declined.

We were very pleased to hear from HOLLOBON, who is in the
Palestine Police.

HORGAN set out to fly a bomber to Singapore. His kit arrived
there but not Horgan and the bomber.

We congratulate E. G. BAKER and BEARD on getting married and
MOON and RENVILLE on their engagements.

Moss is an Admiralty clerical officer but is doing a lot of
war work as well.

CROFT is in the drawing office of the Central London
Electricity Board.

R. K. BERRY is in the County Court Office at Worthing.

JARRETT is in the G.P.O. offices, London.

N. C. GREEN has left the Texas Oil Company for the Lewes
Borough Treasurer's department.

BILLSON obtained a Certificate of Merit in his last Merchant
Navy Examination. He is on an oil tanker.

G. C. BAKER is in Maples, Tottenham Court Road. AKEHURST was
an Assistant Control Engineer at the B.B.C. until war broke
out.

RUTHERFORD has taken up an appointment at West Buckland
School, Devonshire, and is awaiting national service.

E. TAYLOR has a good post on a Government contract in the West
of England.

FENNER is making aeroplanes, as is NORRIS, who visited our
camp at Stratford.

R. E. Brown shot for the R.A.F. at Bisley.

E. H. B. SELLWOOD has passed his B. Pharm: Examination.

Before the R.A.F. got SHARP he passed Section I of his final
accountancy examination. He is now at a Flying School.

WICKHAM has got his Librarian's Diploma.

R. H. HILL has passed his final Society of Arts French
examination.

R. W. BARNES followed up his 1st in Part I with a 2/1 in Part
II of the Geography Tripos ; an excellent achievement. He is now
about to do a term's teaching practice at Blundell's School. We
envy him.

PETERs has secured a post in the County Accountant's
Department and SCHMID in that of the County Surveyor.

E. D. SIMMONDS is in Barclays Bank, Lewes.

HARGREAVES is learning the jewellery trade at Southsea.

SMART has emigrated to Southern Rhodesia. We wish him good luck.

BARKER (DAVID), also in Southern Rhodesia, has been in a motor
accident, as has CASTLE ("Mussolini"). We send our best wishes
for a speedy recovery.

K. WILSON is in the Borough Treasurer's Office, Lewes, and
COLES in the Chailey R.D.C. rating department.

GEOFFREY ALLEN has passed the Anatomy and Physiology section
of his L.D.S. Well done !

As we go to press we learn of fresh fields of activity. RIDLEY
at Cambridge has won the Foster Roberts Sculls, while COOPER is
in his college 2nd eight. But for the war we believe WYNTER would
have landed a boxing or rugger " blue " this winter. Are we going
to have rowing blues as well ?

What about Old Boys' subs. ?
[A not very subtle hint from NRB for Old Boys to pay their
subscriptions to the Old Lewesians Association !]

[Note: The School was two form entry, each form being composed
of about 32 Boys. However the School was attracting older boys
from other grammar and public schools as its reputation,
convenience and economy became more widely known. That explains
why the intake of new boys was 83. The number leaving was 67
which can be accounted for by the two fifth forms leaving to take
up employment. A few would have stayed on for the sixth form and
there would have been a few leaving the district. The net effect
at this time is a small overall growth of the School of about 16
boys.]